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"While you may experience intermittent access to the EcoCash system, we are working tirelessly to have your service fully restored," Econet said in communication to customers.

It then responded to a flood of queries over social media, particularly Twitter, and said, "service disruptions experienced on EcoCash have been resolved and service restored".

With the platform down and transactions via retailers affected, motorists were reportedly also turned away from petrol stations.

Customers turned to social media to vent their frustration – particularly because there were reports of charges being imposed for failed transactions.

ICT Minister Supa Mandiwanzira has previously complained about the dominance that Econet's mobile wallet enjoys in Zimbabwe and directed that EcoCash be tweaked to be interoperable with other platforms.